Very soon JLPT restriction will open for people who want to take the test in the US (I'm not sure when registration opens in other countries). As such, those of us with interest in taking the exams all have decide whether to register (and which exam to register for). Personally, I'm conflicted; I passed the N2 last year, just barely, and I feel very confident that I would score much better on the N2 if I took it again this year, but obviously there's really no point in re-taking the N2. For me, N1, would probably be pretty tough (I estimate that I probably know around 6000 vocab words, while the N1 study guides usually recommend knowing at least 10000 words). On the other hand, I didn't really expect to pass the N2 exam either when I took it last year. I could just look at the N1 test this year as practice for next year's exam (though it's a pretty pricey $100 practice exam). I have no immediate need to pass the JLPT, though it's not impossible that someday I might try to work in Japan or try to use Japanese in relation to my work.
What does everyone think? Are you planning to take the test this year? Do you think it's better to take a longer time and register for the exam when you have no doubt you'll pass it, or register early and challenge yourself with a tough exam?
by i-am-this